In this episode we present selected works of British singer, trumpeter and composer Phil Minton, with a focus on his extended vocal techniques: from freely improvised abstract pieces for solo voice, unusual renditions of classical and jazz repertoire, avant-garde compositions inspired by Daniil Harms and Joseph Brodsky works to choral work based on the letters of Ho Chi Minh.
..brief teaser:
The episode also includes an exclusive recording of Minton’s only performance in the US in the past 10 years (with Axel Dörner on trumpet, C Spencer Yeh on violin+voice and Okkyung Lee on cello) and some of his personal insights from a phone interview by Extended Techniques.
Running time: 1 hour 53 minutes
mp3 download: The Voices of Phil Minton
on ITunes 
Playlist
1) Phil Minton and Roger Turner, “Urgent,” Ammo (1984), Phil Minton (voice), Roger Turner (percussion). Leo Records (1998, 2006) http://www.leorecords.com/
2) Phil Minton “Dough song 8,” A Doughnut in One Hand (1998), Phil Minton (voice). FMP/Free Music Production
3) Phil Minton and John Butcher, “Joyweed,” Apples of Gomorath (1999). Phil Minton (voice), John Butcher (tenor and soprano saxophone). Grob (2002)
4) Phil Minton, John Butcher, Roger Turner, Veryan Weston, “Mouthful of Ecstasy,” Mouthful of Ecstasy (1996), Phil Minton Quartet: Phil Minton (voice), John Butcher (saxophone), Roger Turner (percussion), Veryan Weston (piano). Victo www.victo.qc.ca
5) Simon Nabatov, “Part 2” and “Part 3,” Nature Morte (2001). Simon Nabatov Quartet: Phil Minton (voice), Frank Gratkowski (as, cl, bcl, fl), Nils Wogram (trombone), Simon Nabatov (piano) Leo Records http://www.leorecords.com/
6) Simon Nabatov, “And That’s All,” A Few Incidents (2004), Simon Nabatov Octet: Phil Minton (voice), Frank Gratkowski (as, cl, bcl, fl), Nils Wogram (trombone), Ernst Reijseger (cello), Cor Fuhler (live electronics, keyolin), Matt Penman (bass), Michael Sarin (drums), Simon Nabatov (piano). Leo Records http://www.leorecords.com/
7) Phil Minton and Veryan Weston, “Klang Nocturne,” Ways (1987), Phil Minton (voice), Veryan Weston (piano) ITM Records
8) Phil Minton and Veryan Weston, “Evening,” Songs From a Prison Diary (1993) Cleveland Watkins, Maggie Nicols, Phil Minton, Norma Winston, “Voices from Somewhere” choir. Leo Records http://www.leorecords.com/
9) Phil Minton and Veryan Weston, “Magnificat,” … past (2004), Phil Minton (voice), Veryan Weston (piano). ReR Records
10) Phil Minton and Okkyung Lee, “mu jin,” Annica (2011), Phil Minton (voice), Okkyung Lee (cello). Dancing Wayang Records http://dancingwayang.com/
11) Okkyung Lee, Phil Minton, Axel Dörner, C Spencer Yeh, “Untitled” (2012), Okkyung Lee (cello), Phil Minton (voice), Axel Dörner (trumpet), C Spencer Yeh (violin and voice). Extended Techniques
axel dörner on trumpet, phil minton on voice, c spencer yeh on violin+voice, okkyung lee on cello
12) Tom Cora, The Untraceable Cigar, “Diving bell”(1996) Roof quartet: Tom Cora (cello), Phil Minton (vocals), Luc Ex (guitar), Michael Vatcher (drums). Red Note
Photos © Peter Gannushkin 2012
Intro: Erlena Dlu, “Six improvisations de la pleine lune” (2012)
Special thanks to Phil Minton, Leo Feigin, Simon Nabatov, Okkyung Lee, Peter Gannushkin, Francois Baron and Alexander Ra.
If you enjoy the music included here, please consider purchasing the recordings at the record labels sites above, or at Downtown Music Gallery.
Phil Minton’s Feral Choir in Cologne.
A film by Pavel Borodin. Germany, 2012.
©2012 by Extended Techniques. All Rights Reserved.
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